Asha Bhonsle: The ageless Diva

Asha was born in India's Maharashtra State to the Mangeshkars, a family of musicians. She launched into a singing career in the footsteps of her sister Lata Mangeshkar. Her first official playback was for the Hindi film Chunaria (1948) and her first solo was for Raat Ki Rani (1949).

Asha has sung a record 20, 000 songs in over 14 languages. Some unforgettable moments on the silver screen are her songs for Helen in the film Chinatown and another picturised on Madhubala in the film Howrah Bridge.

Success did not come overnight. However, with the support of music directors such as OP Nayyar and RD Burman, she gained a foothold and a niche independent of her sister. Among her hits are Mere Sanam, Kashmir ki Kali, Ek Musafir ek Haseena, Pran Jaye par Vachan na Jaye and many others with OP Nayyar. In her four-decade career, she has wowed Bollywood fans with unforgettable songs. Asha is a favourite with the critics too. She is known for her unique, cheerful style of singing--take for instance, Piya Tu and Dum Maro Dum.

Asha has also sung for albums, Hindi pop and ghazals. She is equally at ease with both ghazals and fast numbers. Among her qawali numbers are Nighan Mila No Ko Jee Chahata Hai, Hum Kisise Kum Nahin and Suun le Pukar.

Asha has stood tall despite increasing competition from younger talents on the music scene. There are names such as Alka Yagnik, Kavita Krishnamurty and Sadhana Sargam to contend with but Asha has met the challenge with songs such as Yai Re, Yai Re and Tanha Tanha both from Rangeela. She also teams up with Adnam Sami and Ghulam Ali with equal ease for private albums of songs or ghazals.

Her talent has won wide acclaim. She was the winner twice over of the National Award--in 1981 for Dil Cheez Kya Hain (Umrao Jaan) and in 1986 for Mera Kuch Samaan (Ijazatt) the Filmfare Award eight times (from 1967-1977) besides many other awards. To Asha also goes the credit for being the first Indian singer to be nominated for the Grammy Award in 1997 and the Dada Phalke Award and Dayawati Modi Award in 2001.

Here's hoping many more prolific years for Asha.

Compiled by Cultural Correspondent